Man Of Action (Hayden Barnes) is healthier and happier with the drop in temperature in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Action moves to Redcliffe on Thursday and he’s got his old bounce back, says Al
By Barry Lichter • 31 March 2021
Trainer Al Barnes heads off to Redcliffe on Thursday afternoon with Man Of Action, fully expecting the horse to start turning his form around.
Barnes only has to look at the four-year-old to know he’s ready to put an end to his nine-race streak out of the money.
“We’re really happy with him now - he was sour and dull and horrible in the coat and now he’s happy and bright and full of energy and his coat is dark.”
Man Of Action’s form fell away last December when he was tired at the end of long campaign and when Barnes brought him back in March he really struggled to cope with the very hot and humid conditions.
But with the very wet weather in Queensland has come a drop in temperature and Barnes says the horse is on the way back.
“He might have run only sixth last start but Hayden was very happy with him. He said he felt like a completely different horse and he even paced a lot better.”
Taken back from a wide draw, Man Of Action made up good ground from well back to run 22 metres behind winner Our Ridgy Didge.
With no racing at Albion Park on Good Friday, Barnes didn’t want the horse to miss a run, hence his decision to race at the turning Redcliffe saucer.
“It’s an even Redcliffe field but he should be competitive.
“We’ll give him confidence and let him run on again but I still expect him to run a real nice race and I think he can earn a decent cheque.
“But whatever he does, he will improve on and be ready to go next time.”
Man Of Action races at 6.47pm at Albion Park on Thursday.
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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
